If anybody says there is no way one can feel and understand what it’s to be like the Nizam, stop them right there. When there is the marvellous Taj Falaknuma palace in the city, it is not impossible to experience royalty. The steady increase in the number of people who book the palace for events and weekend stays, is an indication that the Falaknuma is on everyone’s lips. Perched 2,000 feet above the city of Hyderabad, the palace was built in 1894. Nizam, once rumoured to be the richest man on the planet, lived in a duplex within the palace. The palace is enchanting; a five-star fairy tale set-up, spread over 32 acres, with 60 rooms and suites authentically restored and refurbished by Her Highness Princess Esra, the Nizam’s wife. Each room provides marvellous views of the palace courtyard and the 400-year-old city of Hyderabad – a portal back to a time of maximalist extravagance and unapologetic indulgence. But did you ever imagine what it is to live in the private chambers of the Nizam, tread the path he walked on and slept in a set up that was the Nizam’s? If all this keeps you excitedly inquisitive, then this is how his private stay was. The Nizam Suite of the Taj Falaknuma palace also called the jewel amongst the cloud is the only way that can satiate your inquisitiveness. The Nizam Suite, once the actual residence of the world’s richest man, is immaculate with ornate interiors and a private swimming pool. The duplex is also the largest presidential suite in the country and it is now open for guests with special offers till the end of the year. The suite with a little porch differentiates it from the rest of the living chambers. The doors open to a low height sitting arrangement on the left. Adjacent to it, is a flight of shiny stairs made of the best marble. As one walks past the stairs, the Nizam’s drawing room with immaculate furniture arrangement greets you. The high ceiling, the crystal cut chandeliers light up the place. The soft turkish floor rugs are a treat to your feat and a small dining arrangement acts as a perfect place for a royal cup of tea or snacks. By the way, the Gol verandah used to be Nizam’s favourite place for tea and to relax. So, a guest who stays at the Nizam suite can ask for a high-tea experience at the Gol verandah. Guests at the Nizam suite are made to feel like the Nizam not just by the fact he/she is staying in the Nizam’s personal quarters but also with frills and thrills that make you feel like the Nizam himself. This includes personal dining experience at the place of your choice, a personal qawwali session and a guided walk wherever one walks. Ahead of the room, three doors open to a semi-circular verandah that has the Nizam’s private swimming pool. The well-manicured grass lawns surrounded with trees keeps the place naturally cool. Guests can choose to dine here too. The stairs at the entrance before reaching the drawing room leads to the Nizam’s bedroom. To get an idea, the bedroom is about the size of three master bedrooms of the present day high-end duplex houses. One corner has a reading chair with a footstool, a small desk overlooking a window with a view of the garden and the courtyard of the palace and another three-seater arrangement for morning breakfast. The bed is in the middle of the room faces the windows. There is a small balcony where you can sit and sip your morning tea or read the morning newspapers before heading for a lavish bath. The bathroom and the dressers have to be what every woman wants. With modern fittings like sauna jaccuzi, it can be your personal spa. There is a shower room as well with antique finish brass fittings. Every wall in the Nizam suite has a painting that dates back to the 18th century. If you are wondering how to reach out to anyone where there is a need, then there is a personal butler at your service.

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